ÿWPCÌ PŽ⬿_€Ÿk!jœýž‹…C¥×Q}#†D³èÚl`C†úO[ÁË¿Ò,€|žfÿ[ÐyÏ×^';Fl•jQO? Ð Á\³b±Þný±ÍH:8‹tãͬ)Å[ÀÝ︬êÕY¨a;8¢–ôö"k u(¥;pŒ•¶¢E×½2:ËôQÝ÷ÏÕ#N·+Ïùä™tèû™ ñ°8„~|í° ÀÂQí࣮êÍ9ÍIž„Ô,¾iX&±¡Qø%v8EöÅ9Ø{³Ì·Žè È*&?Çm0´³²Q±ž 2Ü:ûû'ûq¾GF;–ŸË"ä‘7üi÷ý>ž×ÃËòb¢£B—óC¾t ÒÈ  ø)™/’cQ_kör+ók>­žø”¯Úêûk¢ÿY ÷±½XÓÙ²/²ÖËú(ÔÔ[çþ˜ÿ­MÙáî[cɧð%€õlÍN)ñ~­ÔÔ®9 ¯ù-Ðp¬ï4÷¡îÍ}`Ù¦®l„šb‹p²G9b‡‰iá¹ÐVžˆ”;ú9^ñ†)ßm0f»"3æu¬‚4Ëäê½Í5’[Nöî÷9Ž©+ÐÇã)ûÍrí§¶$7;´ü¡0žg“à`?_ ¡¹ÍŠA©f"4Ïú6kB/½S´·,±Àü¦_FÑ3°bÎlW# ÂU NÍ % 04! 0ÏUb$ N, 0Dz 1m¾ 0c+ NŽ z ^ w@4Vjy m{¬’>NU:Q‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹ AQMÆž 0Dd 0D¨ 0Dìì D/00 B_ D3||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| B¯˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»( ¤U$¡¡Ó  Ó((2Ow$¤¤Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€Xÿ{X»»ÔÑ  ÑÑÑà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù- DÝ ƒM$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€also€warned€Ms.€Young€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôa]nyÔ_Ô€violation€of€this€restraining€order€is€anÐ ° Ðinstant€change€of€custody.ðð€€In€an€effort€to€be€even€handed,€the€trial€court€also€restrained€both€partiesÏð ðfrom€having€a€member€of€the€opposite€sex€in€his/her€home€overnight€without€the€benefit€of€marriageÏin€the€presence€of€the€minor€child.ðð(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó #*e37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(;³¹$´´Ô2*eÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à TullahomaYoungsMcKinney HousHartsellDowlingFawverThigpenAddingtonStaggsDantzlerNicholsRogeroGaskillContrerasBarnhillVarleyMimmsSammonsChurchwellCallensStarnes WittHuskeyRiederEdingerEddingeroverbroadt]hereenable[dGalbreath}ŒT%ä ¯°E±²E³´gµ¶Ó€ÀÁÖ…#%-²$nˆCorel3|xÁ ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ ¢Ý ƒM$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€also€noted:€€ð ðI€donððt€think€I€have€the€right€nor€any€trial€judge€has€the€right€toÐ ° Ðenforce€that€type€of€order€to€prohibit€her€from€any€contact€with€his€man€outside€the€presence€of€thatÏchild.ðð Ý ƒM$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee€Young€v.€Youngóó,€No.€01A01„9707„CH„00329€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€2,€1997). ùÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€»˜É»»»ÔÔ€­Ì »»˜ÉÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XÝ[ X ­ÌÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€21,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,@ÓÐAZ‹"Arial Regular ¸Ý ƒM$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€XX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔOur€agreement€with€the€trial€courtððs€disposition€of€the€custody€issue€should€not€be€construedÐ ° Ðas€a€blanket€endorsement€of€the€trial€courtððs€reasoning.€€When€the€trial€court€announced€its€decision,Ïits€comments€could€be€construed€as€indicating€that€it€was€faced€with€choosing€between€twoÏmarginally€fit€parents€(ð ðthe€lesser€of€two€evilsðð).€€Based€upon€our€review€of€the€record,€we€find€noÏbasis€for€concluding€that€either€of€these€parties€are€unfit€to€have€custody€of€their€daughter.!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdVVVV'ÿÿdxd dÝ ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ„°ÑÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€ÑÑ7€J»»ddÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÔ€„¬O„»»Ôò òñÀññ¶ñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E ±` 8ttxPX°ð  rßñ¶ññÀññÀññÀñÌñÁññÀñßt€ )>.*jx„ø` `€€@E¤` 8ttxPÜHÐ È tßñÀññÁññÁññÁñà@¡ ¡ DàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@ÜÜ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óÔ€¼—I¼„„¬OԈР€Ð ÐñÁñßt€ )>.*jxõÿ#` `€€@E ` 8ttxPMèð # tßñÁñÌÌÌJANET€ANN€YOUNG,à0 h àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%à)Ð* z€%€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)à0p€%€%àCoffee€ChanceryÐV¦ p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à0 p àNo.€96„250Ðl¼ p€%p€% ÐVS.à0 ` àà0¸ ` €%` €%àà0¸ €%¸ €%àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%à)Ð‚Ò €%€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à0 p àApp.€No.Иè p€%p€% ÐJAMES€ROBERT€YOUNG,à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)à0p€%€%à01A01„9801„CH„00047Юþ p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendant/Appellee.à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)ÐÚ*€%€% ÐÌÌÌÌà@  DàAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CHANCERY€COURT€FOR€COFFEE€COUNTYˆÌà@¯¯#DàAT€MANCHESTER,€TENNESSEEˆÌà@Ô Ô DàTHE€HONORABLE€JOHN€W.€ROLLINS,€JUDGEˆÌÌÌÌÌòòFor€Plaintiff/Appellantóó:à0 h àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%àà0p€%€%àòòFor€Defendant/Appelleeóó:Ðâ!2p€%p€% ÐÌW.€David€Kelleyà0  àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%àà0p€%€%àRobert€L.€HuskeyÐ$^p€%p€% ÐHaynes€Hull€Rieder€&€Ewellà0 À àà0À€%À€%àà0p€%€%àManchester,€TennesseeÐ$%t p€%p€% ÐTullahoma,€TennesseeÌÌRandall€W.€MorrisonÌTullahoma,€TennesseeÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@%Dàò òÔ‡„¬O„¼¼—IÔAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDÔ#†¼—I¼„„¬O #Ôó óˆÐ B3’.* ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ  .;~61 ÐѰ„Ñò òÔ€„¬O„¼¼—IÔÑ  ÑÓ€Óà@ÎÎ)DàòòO€P€I€N€I€O€Nóóó óÔ€¼—I¼„„¬OԈР° ÐÌà ` àThis€appeal€involves€the€custody€of€a€six„year„old€girl.€€Both€parents€sought€aÏdivorce€and€custody€of€the€child.€€Following€a€bench€trial,€the€Chancery€Court€forÏCoffee€County€granted€the€father€the€divorce€and€gave€custody€of€the€child€to€theÏmother€solely€because€the€fatherððs€employment€as€a€long„haul€truck€driver€preventedÏhim€from€being€the€custodial€parent.€€The€father€quickly€obtained€local€employmentÏand€filed€a€timely€post„trial€motion€requesting€custody.€€The€trial€court€granted€theÏmotion€and€awarded€custody€of€the€child€to€the€father.€€The€mother€asserts€on€thisÏappeal€that€the€trial€court€had€no€basis€for€changing€custody€and€that€she€wasÏcomparatively€more€fit€to€be€the€childððs€custodian.€€We€have€determined€that€the€trialÏcourtððs€custody€determination€was€proper.ÌÌà@ùù.Dàò òI.ó óˆÐ X¨ ÐÌà ` àJanet€Ann€Young€and€James€Robert€Young€were€married€in€Coffee€County€onÏOctober€20,€1990.€€Ms.€Young€worked€as€an€administrative€assistant€to€a€physician,Ïand€Mr.€Young€was€employed€as€a€long„haul€truck€driver.€€Ms.€Young€stoppedÏworking€after€the€partiesðð€daughter€was€born€in€May€1992.€€Mr.€Young€continued€toÏmaintain€a€rigorous€schedule€as€a€truck€driver,€typically€making€two€or€three€longÏdistance€runs€each€week.€€€Consequently,€throughout€the€marriage,€Mr.€Young€wasÏat€home€only€a€few€hours€each€week€when€he€was€able€to€visit€with€his€wife€andÏdaughter€and€sleep.€€Ms.€Young€returned€to€work€part„time€when€their€daughter€wasÏsix€months€old.ÌÌà ` àThe€Youngsðð€marriage€began€to€deteriorate€in€1995€because€they€were€notÏcommunicating€effectively€and€were€disagreeing€frequently€about€money.€€When€theyÏseparated€in€September€1995,€Mr.€Young€moved€into€his€motherððs€home€inÏTullahoma,€and€Ms.€Young€and€the€partiesðð€daughter€moved€into€a€rented€house.€€Mr.ÏYoung€continued€to€drive€a€truck€and€visited€his€daughter€on€weekends.€€NeitherÏparty€filed€for€divorce€immediately.Ìâ âÐ ª7ú2> Ðà ` àIn€February€1996€Ms.€Youngððs€employer€introduced€her€to€David€Edinger,€theÏâ âbasketball€coach€at€Coffee€County€High€School.€€Within€months,€Ms.€Young€becameÏromantically€involved€with€Mr.€Edinger.€€Their€relationship€continued€until€Ms.ÏYoung€and€Mr.€Edinger€decided€that€they€should€stop€the€romance€until€the€divorceÏproceedings€were€final.€€Even€after€this€decision,€Ms.€Young€and€Mr.€EdingerÏcontinued€to€see€each€other€socially,€and€Ms.€Young€entertained€Mr.€Edinger€in€herÏhome€and€invited€him€to€attend€gatherings€with€her€family.ÌÌà ` àOn€July€22,€1996,€Ms.€Young€filed€a€divorce€petition€in€the€Chancery€Court€forÏCoffee€County.€€Mr.€Young€counterclaimed€for€divorce,€alleging€that€Ms.€Young€hadÏcommitted€adultery.€€Both€parties€sought€custody€of€their€daughter.€€The€trial€courtÏheard€the€evidence€without€a€jury€on€March€12€and€13,€1997,€and€granted€Mr.€YoungÏa€divorce.€€The€trial€court€expressed€displeasure€with€the€wifeððs€extra„marital€relationsÏduring€the€divorce€proceedings€but€also€stated€that€Mr.€Youngððs€employment€as€aÏlong„haul€truck€driver€interfered€with€his€ability€to€be€the€custodial€parent.€ÏAccordingly,€the€trial€court€granted€Ms.€Young€custody€of€the€parties€daughter€butÏalso€enjoined€her€ð ðfrom€having€any€contact€whatsoever€with€David€Eddinger€[sic].ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Рð@  ÐIn€addition,€the€trial€court€informed€Mr.€Young:€ÌÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àIf€your€living€arrangements€and€job€circumstances€change,ÏI€might€consider€changing€custody.€€I€donððt€want€to€lendÏfalse€hope,€but€I€will€certainly€take€a€hard€look€at€it.€€IÏdonððt€want€to€promise€you€anything.€€I€donððt€want€you€toÏwalk€out€of€this€courtroom€and€.€.€.€but€Iððm€concerned€theÏmost€about€the€time€or€the€absence€away€from€ð!ð€betweenÐ °'#) Ðyou€and€your€little€ð!ð€and€thereððs€nothing€you€can€do€aboutÐ È($* Ðthat.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à*à  àà p à*à È àà  à*Ð ,`'- ÐÌà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#à.€.€.€So€itððs€true,€youððre€being€punished€for€your€job€and€IÏadmit€it,€but€I€donððt€know€what€else€to€do.€€My€job€is€whatÏis€in€the€best€interest€of€this€little€girl€and€I€think,Ïhopefully,€Iððve€made€that€decision.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  Ðâ âÐ  2ð-3 Ðà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àà  àUnfortunately,€in€these€situations€most€of€the€timeÏâ âitððs€not€the€better€choice.€€Itððs€the€lesser€of€two€evilsÏsometimes€and€I€wonððt€comment€about€that€here.€€IððmÏwilling€to€take€a€hard€look€at€it€without€giving€you€anyÏabsolute€assurance€at€what€I€might€do€in€six€monthsðð€timeÏor€when€your€circumstances€change.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌòòóóÓ€ÓThe€trial€court€entered€an€order€embodying€its€decision€on€April€21,€1997.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà ` àOn€May€14,€1997,€Mr.€Young€moved€to€alter€or€amend€the€April€21,€1997€orderÏon€the€ground€that€he€had€located€a€local€job€that€would€not€require€him€to€be€out€ofÏthe€area€and€accordingly€that€ð ðhe€is€now€in€a€better€position€to€have€custody€or€at€leastÏexpanded€visitation€time€with€the€minor€child.ðð€€Ms.€Young€also€moved€to€alter€orÏamend€the€divorce€decree€by€deleting€the€prohibition€against€all€contact€with€Mr.ÏEdinger,€regardless€of€the€presence€of€her€daughter.€€At€the€outset€of€a€hearing€onÏJune€20,€1997,€the€trial€court€conceded€that€the€April€21,€1997€order€should€beÏmodified€because€the€restriction€against€Ms.€Young€seeing€Mr.€Edinger€wasÏð ðoverbroad.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð À ÐÌà ` àAfter€Mr.€Young€testified€about€his€new€job€and€the€arrangements€he€had€madeÏfor€his€daughterððs€care€should€he€be€awarded€custody,€Ms.€Young€took€the€stand€toÏemphasize€that€ð ð[t]hereððs€no€one€more€important€in€my€life€than€my€daughter€and€IÏwould€give€up€anything€or€anyone€for€my€daughter.ðð€€She€also€volunteered€that€sheÏhad€ð ðnot€had€any€contact€with€[Mr.€Edinger]ðð€after€the€last€hearing.€€On€cross„¼examination,€Ms.€Young€reluctantly€conceded€that€she€had,€in€fact,€been€seeing€Mr.ÏEdinger€since€the€last€hearing€despite€her€statements€to€the€contrary.€€Thereupon,€the€Ïtrial€court€ordered€that€Mr.€Young€be€given€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughterÌÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àNot€because€sheððs€seeing€the€man.€€But€if€you€set€anÏexample€ð!ð€if€€youððll€lie€to€the€Court,€youððll€lie€to€your€childÐ @.)0 Ðand€misrepresent€things€and€itððs€on€that€basis€that€IððmÏchanging€custody.€€Not€the€fact€that€she€saw€this€man.€€ItððsÏthe€fact€that€she€lied€about€it.€€That€is€not€a€good€exampleÏfor€a€parent.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÐ Ð4 06 ÐÓ€ÓIn€a€June€26,€1997€order,€the€trial€court€directed€that€custody€of€the€partiesðð€child€beÏtransferred€immediately€to€Mr.€Young€and€that€the€sheriff€accompany€Mr.€Young€ð ðtoÏpick€up€the€child€and€effectuate€the€Order.ðð€ÌÌà ` àMs.€Young€retained€new€counsel.€€Later,€following€a€hearing€concerning€Ms.ÏYoungððs€visitation€rights,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€on€November€6,€1997,Ïconcluding€that€Mr.€Young€had€been€awarded€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughterÏbecause€his€change€of€employment€ð ðenable[d]€him€to€provide€full„time€on„going€careÏfor€the€minor€childðð€and€because€ð ðMs.€Young€was€found€to€have€perjured€herself€onÏdirect€examination€in€regard€to€her€priorities€in€relation€to€the€child.ðð€€The€trial€courtÏlater€entered€a€final€judgment€reaffirming€its€April€21€and€June€26,€1997€orders€afterÏthis€court€dismissed€Ms.€Youngððs€first€appeal€for€lack€of€a€final€order.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ms.€YoungÐ ¼  Ðhas€perfected€this€appeal.ÌÌà@ËË.Dàà@@ÊÊ.Dàò òII.ó óˆÐ ¨ø ÐÌà ` àWe€turn€first€to€the€proper€standard€of€review€for€this€case.€€Ms.€Young€assertsÏthat€we€should€treat€this€case€as€an€appeal€from€an€order€changing€custody.€ÏTherefore,€she€insists€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€to€award€custody€of€the€partiesððÏdaughter€to€Mr.€Young€can€be€upheld€only€if€there€was€a€material€change€inÏcircumstances€occurring€between€April€21,€1997,€when€the€trial€court€entered€itsÏinitial€custody,€and€June€26,€1997,€when€the€trial€court€entered€its€order€granting€Mr.ÏYoungððs€motion€to€alter€or€amend.€€We€disagree€that€this€is€a€change€of€custody€case.€ÏÌà ` àA€courtððs€decision€with€regard€to€custody€and€visitation,€once€made€andÏimplemented,€is€res€judicata€upon€the€facts€in€existence€or€€reasonably€foreseeableÏwhen€the€decision€is€made.€€òòSee€Young€v.€Smithóó,€193€Tenn.€480,€485,€246€S.W.2d€93,Ð X/¨*4 Ð95€(1952);òò€In€re€Parsonsóó,€914€S.W.2d€889,€893€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Thus,€theÐ ü0L,6 Ðcourts€will€not€change€an€existing€custody€or€visitation€arrangement€unless€the€partyÏseeking€the€change€can€demonstrate€the€existence€of€a€change€in€circumstancesÏmaterially€affecting€the€childððs€interests€that€could€not€have€reasonably€been€foreseen€Ð è581< Ðwhen€the€custody€or€visitation€agreement€was€ordered.€€However,€the€doctrine€of€resÏjudicata€does€not€apply€when€the€judgment€sought€to€be€given€res€judicata€effect€isÏnot€final.€€òòSee€Richardson€v.€Tennessee€Bd.€of€Dentistryóó,€913€S.W.2d€446,€459€(Tenn.Ð øH Ð1995);€òòGalbreath€v.€Harrisóó,€811€S.W.2d€88,€90€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990);€òòLee€v.€Hallóó,Ð œ ì Ð790€S.W.2d€293,€294€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990).€€The€trial€courtððs€April€21,€1997€orderÏgranting€custody€to€Ms.€Young€never€became€final.ÌÌà ` àA€judgment€adjudicating€all€the€claims€between€all€the€parties€becomes€finalÏthirty€days€after€entry€unless€one€of€the€parties€files€a€timely€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59Ïmotion.€€€Before€a€judgment€becomes€final,€the€trial€court€may€alter€or€amend€it€eitherÏon€its€own€motion€or€at€the€request€of€one€of€the€parties.€€òòSee€Jerkins€v.€McKinneyóó,Ð h Ð533€S.W.2d€275,€280€(Tenn.€1976);€òòNewport€Hous.€Auth.,€Inc.€v.€Hartsellóó,€533Ð ¼  ÐS.W.2d€317,€320€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1975);€òòMoore€v.€Standard€Life€&€Accident€Ins.€Co.óó,Ð `° Ð504€S.W.2d€373,€375€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1972).€€Thus,€as€long€as€its€judgment€has€notÏbecome€final,€the€trial€court€my€change€its€mind€after€reconsidering€the€proof€and€theÏapplicable€law.€€òòSee€Waste€Management,€Inc.€of€Tenn.€v.€South€Cent.€Bell€Tel.€Co.óó,Ð Lœ ÐNo.€01A01„9504„CV„00182,€1997€WL€71811,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€21,€1997)Ï(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòDowling€v.€Fawveróó,€C.A.€No.€715,€1987Ð ” ä" ÐWL€20190,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€25,€1987)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€applicationÏfiled).€€ÌÌà ` àThe€trial€courtððs€April€21,€1997€order€granting€Ms.€Young€custody€of€theÏpartiesðð€daughter€never€became€final€because€both€parties€filed€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04Ïmotions€within€thirty€days€after€its€entry.€€Thus,€the€trial€court€was€free€to€change€itsÏmind€about€its€initial€custody€decision€based€on€the€proof€received€during€the€originalÏdivorce€trial€and€the€proof€adduced€at€the€hearing€on€the€partiesðð€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.Ïmotion.€€Because€the€April€21,€1997€order€was€not€final,€it€did€not€preclude€the€courtÏfrom€considering€the€custody€issue€without€first€finding€that€there€had€been€a€materialÏchange€in€circumstances€between€the€original€divorce€hearing€and€the€hearing€on€theÏpartiesðð€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04€motions.€€Accordingly,€we€will€review€the€trial€courtððsÏcustody€decision€as€an€initial€custody€order.ÌÌÐ 09€4@ Ðà@-Dàò òIII.ó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà ` àWe€turn€now€to€the€question€of€custody.€€Ms.€Young€asserts€that€she€isÏcomparatively€more€fit€than€Mr.€Young€to€have€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughter.€ÏAlthough€we€place€different€weight€on€the€various€custody„influencing€factors€in€thisÏcase€than€did€the€trial€court,€we€find€that€the€evidence€supports€the€trial€courtððsÏdecision€€to€award€custody€to€Mr.€Young.€€ÌÌà@ÓÓ.Dàò òA.ó óˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà ` àThere€are€no€hard€and€fast€rules€for€determining€which€custody€and€visitationÏarrangement€will€best€serve€a€childððs€needs.€€òòSee€Taylor€v.€Taylor,€óó849€S.W.2d€319,Ð ¼  Ð327€(Tenn.€1993);€òòDantzler€v.€Dantzler,óó€665€S.W.2d€385,€387€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€Ð `° ÐThis€determination€is€factually€driven€and€requires€the€courts€to€carefully€weighÏnumerous€considerations.€€òòSee€Nichols€v.€Nichols,óó€792€S.W.2d€713,€716€(Tenn.€1990);Ð ¨ø ÐòòRogero€v.€Pitt,óó€759€S.W.2d€109,€112€(Tenn.€1988).€€Among€these€considerations€are:Ð Lœ ÐÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àthe€age,€habits,€mental€and€emotional€make„up€of€the€childÏand€those€parties€competing€for€custody;€the€education€andÏexperience€of€those€seeking€to€raise€the€child;€theirÏcharacter€and€propensities€as€evidenced€by€their€pastÏconduct;€the€financial€and€physical€circumstances€availableÏin€the€home€of€each€party€seeking€custody€and€the€specialÏrequirements€of€the€child;€the€availability€and€extent€ofÏthird„party€support;€the€associations€and€influences€toÏwhich€the€child€is€most€likely€to€be€exposed€in€theÏalternatives€afforded,€both€positive€and€negative;€andÏwhere€is€the€greater€likelihood€of€an€environment€for€theÏchild€of€love,€warmth,€stability,€support,€consistency,€careÏand€concern,€and€physical€and€spiritual€nurture.Ð ¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÓ€º=ÓÌòòBah€v.€Bah,óó€668€S.W.2d€663,€666€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983);€òòsee€alsoóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð Ì.*/ Ððð€36„6„106€(Supp.€1998).ÌÌà ` àParents€competing€for€custody€are€human€beings€with€their€own€unique€virtuesÏand€vices.€€òòSee€Gaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€630€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996).€Ð \5¬07 ÐAccordingly,€the€courts€do€not€expect€a€parent€to€prove€that€he€or€she€is€perfect,€òòseeÐ 7P29 ÐBah€v.€Bah,óó€668€S.W.2d€at€666;€òòEdwards€v.€Edwards,óó€501€S.W.2d€283,€290„91€(Tenn.Ð ¤8ô3; ÐCt.€App.€1973),€or€that€the€other€parent€is€completely€unfit.€€òòSee€Griffin€v.€Stone,óó€834Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€300,€305€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992);€òòHarris€v.€Harris,óó€832€S.W.2d€352,€353Ð T¤ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€Instead,€the€courts€analyze€the€ð ðcomparative€fitnessðð€of€theÏparents€to€determine€which€of€the€available€custodians€is€comparatively€more€fit€thanÏthe€other.€€òòSee€In€re€Parsons,óó€914€S.W.2d€at€893;€òòBah€v.€Bah,óó€668€S.W.2d€at€666.Ð @  ÐÌà ` àCustody€and€visitation€determinations€often€hinge€on€subtle€factors,€includingÏthe€parentsðð€demeanor€and€credibility€during€the€divorce€proceedings€themselves.€ÏAccordingly,€trial€courts€must€be€able€to€exercise€broad€discretion€in€these€matters,Ïas€long€as€their€decisions€are€based€on€the€evidence€and€on€an€appropriate€applicationÏof€the€applicable€principles€of€law.€€òòSee€D€v.€Kóó,€917€S.W.2d€682,€685€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð h Ð1995).€Accordingly,€appellate€courts€are€reluctant€to€second„guess€a€trial€courtððsÏdecisions,€òòsee€Gaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€633,€òòóóand€we€review€these€decisionsÐ `° Ðde€novo€on€the€record€with€a€presumption€that€the€trial€courtððs€findings€of€fact€areÏcorrect€unless€the€evidence€preponderates€otherwise.€€òòNichols€v.€Nicholsóó,€792€S.W.2dÐ ¨ø Ðat€716;€€òòDoles€v.€Dolesóó,€848€S.W.2d€656,€661€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).Ð Lœ ÐÌà@ÙÙ.Dàò òB.ó óˆÐ ” ä" ÐÌà ` àThe€evidence€concerning€the€partiesðð€relative€suitability€to€be€custodial€parentsÏis€quite€close.€€The€trial€court€was€not€required€to€find€that€Ms.€Young€was€unfit€toÏbe€the€custodial€parent€in€order€to€grant€custody€to€Mr.€Young.€€It€was€required€onlyÏto€find€that€Mr.€Young€was€comparatively€more€fit€to€be€the€custodial€parent.€BasedÏon€this€record,€we€cannot€say€that€the€trial€court€reached€the€wrong€result.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€trialÐ l*¼%. Ðcourtððs€decision€appears€to€be€driven€by€its€assessment€of€which€of€these€two€parentsÏhad€demonstrated€a€stronger€commitment€to€be€the€custodial€parent.€€While€thisÏconsideration€is€factually€driven€and€inherently€subjective,€we€find€that€it€€is€properÏand€that€it€is€consistent€with€the€other€factors€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„6„106.ÌÐ  2ð-8 Ðà ` àBoth€parties€expressed€a€sincere€desire€to€have€custody€of€their€child.€€Ms.ÏYoung€had,€without€question,€been€the€childððs€primary€care„giver€during€theÏmarriage.€€However,€we€find€unconvincing€her€assertions€that€Mr.€Young€had€beenÏan€absent,€detached€parent€during€this€time.€€To€the€contrary,€we€find€that€Mr.ÏYoungððs€involvement€with€his€daughter€was€perfectly€consistent€with€his€job.€€WhenÏit€appeared€that€he€would€not€obtain€custody€chiefly€because€of€the€job€he€had€heldÏduring€the€marriage,€he€took€a€lower€paying€job€in€order€to€be€better€able€to€dischargeÏthe€responsibilities€of€a€custodial€parent.€€This€conduct€provides€a€basis€forÏconcluding€that€Mr.€Young€was€prepared€to€place€the€interests€of€the€partiesðð€childÏbefore€his€own.ÌÌà ` àThe€evidence€does€not€provide€any€sound€basis€to€conclude€that€Ms.€Young€isÏnot€also€committed€to€her€daughter€or€that€she€could€not€be€an€attentive€parent.€€ItÏdoes,€however,€illustrate€three€things€that€do€not€weigh€in€Ms.€Youngððs€favor.€€First,Ïshe€entered€into€a€sexual€relationship€with€another€man€after€the€parties€separated€andÏbefore€the€divorce€proceedings€concluded.€€Second,€she€ignored€the€trial€courtððs€sternÏadmonition€and€order€after€the€March€1997€hearing€not€to€continue€seeing€Mr.ÏEdinger.€€Third,€she€lied€under€oath€about€her€continuing€involvement€with€Mr.ÏEdinger.€€While€any€of€these€acts€may€not€have€been€sufficient€in€and€of€themselvesÏto€warrant€awarding€custody€to€Mr.€Young,€their€cumulative€effect€provides€aÏsufficient€basis€for€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€the€custody€scales€tipped€in€Mr.ÏYoungððs€favor.ÌÌà ` àExtramarital€sexual€conduct€may€be€indicative€of€parental€fitness€and€thus€mayÏbe€considered€in€the€context€of€a€comparative€fitness€analysis.€€òòSee€Barnhill€v.Ð ,`'0 ÐBarnhillóó,€826€S.W.2d€443,€453€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991);€òòEdwards€v.€Edwardsóó,€501Ð ´-)2 ÐS.W.2d€at€291.€€While€the€courts€do€not€condone€extramarital€affairs,€òòsee€SutherlandÐ X/¨*4 Ðv.€Sutherlandóó,€831€S.W.2d€283,€286€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1991),€they€do€not€punish€partiesÐ ü0L,6 Ðfor€their€meretricious€conduct€alone€without€some€proof€that€the€conduct€is€adverselyÏaffecting€the€children.€€òòSee€Varley€v.€Varleyóó,€934€S.W.2d€659,€666„667€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð D4”/: ÐApp.€1996);€òòSutherland€v.€Sutherlandóó,€831€S.W.2d€at€286;€òòMimms€v.€Mimmsóó,€780Ð è581< ÐS.W.2d€739,€745€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€ÌÐ 09€4@ Ðà ` àMs.€Young€admitted€that€she€began€having€sexual€relations€with€Mr.€EdingerÏin€May€1996€and€that€this€conduct€continued€until€they€decided€that€it€could€affect€theÏoutcome€of€her€custody€dispute€with€Mr.€Young.€€There€is€no€evidence€that€theyÏengaged€in€this€conduct€in€front€of€Ms.€Youngððs€daughter€or€that€the€child€had€beenÏotherwise€adversely€affected€by€that€fact€that€Ms.€Young€and€Mr.€Edinger€were€seenÏtogether€in€public€and€at€family€gatherings.€€Despite€the€unsupported€assertions€ofÏMr.€Youngððs€lawyer€during€argument€that€simple€public€dating€by€a€parent€whileÏdivorce€proceedings€are€pending€is€per€se€injurious€to€children,€we€find€no€basis€forÏconcluding€that€Ms.€Young€rendered€herself€an€unfit€mother€solely€because€she€beganÏdating€before€she€and€Mr.€Young€were€divorced.ÌÌà ` àMore€probative€of€Ms.€Youngððs€comparative€fitness€is€her€failure€to€complyÏwith€the€courtððs€April€21,€1997€order€directing€her€from€continuing€to€have€ð ðanyÏcontact€whatsoeverðð€with€Mr.€Edinger.€€Litigants€are€expected€to€obey€lawful€ordersÏof€a€court,€even€when€these€orders€are€wrong.€€òòSee€State€v.€Sammonsóó,€656€S.W.2dÐ ¨ø Ð862,€869€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1982);€òòChurchwell€v.€Callensóó,€36€Tenn.€App.€119,€131„Ð Lœ Ð32,€252€S.W.2d€131,€136„37€(1952).€€They€must€comply€with€these€orders€until€theyÏare€modified,€set€aside,€or€otherwise€nullified.€€òòSee€Vermillion€v.€Vermillionóó,€892Ð ” ä" ÐS.W.2d€829,€833€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€For€reasons€known€only€to€her,€Ms.€YoungÏdecided€to€disregard€the€trial€courtððs€order€even€while€her€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€59.04Ïmotion€to€change€it€was€pending.€€Her€conduct€reflects€a€deficiency€in€judgment€thatÏweighs€against€her€suitability€to€be€the€custodial€parent.ÌÌà ` àAs€if€to€compound€her€decision€to€ignore€the€trial€courtððs€order€about€seeingÏMr.€Edinger,€Ms.€Young€then€falsely€testified€at€the€hearing€on€her€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.Ï59.04€motion€that€she€had€faithfully€abided€by€the€courtððs€order.€€Parents€lead€byÏexample,€and€accordingly,€a€parentððs€veracity€is€a€proper€matter€to€consider€in€aÏcomparative€fitness€analysis.€€òòSee€Gaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€634;€òòStarnes€v.Ð ü0L,6 ÐStarnesóó,€No.€01A01„9010„CV„00373,€1991€WL€27360,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.Ð  2ð-8 Ð6,€1991)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòWitt€v.€Wittóó,€No.€83„111„II,€slipÐ D4”/: Ðop.€at€17€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€2,€1983)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).€ÏMs.€Youngððs€calculated€decision€to€attempt€to€deceive€the€trial€court€about€herÏcompliance€with€its€orders€weighs€against€her€suitability€to€be€a€custodial€parent.€€Ð 09€4@ Їà ` àWe€have€concluded€that€Ms.€Youngððs€decisions€to€continue€seeing€Mr.€EdingerÏand€then€to€lie€about€it€to€the€trial€court€tipped€the€scales€in€favor€of€Mr.€YoungððsÏrequest€for€custody.€€In€addition,€we€must€consider€another€factor€ð!ð€stability€andÐ øH Ðcontinuity€of€placement.€€Stability€is€an€integral€part€of€a€childððs€well„being.€€òòSeeÐ œ ì ÐTaylor€v.€Tayloróó,€849€S.W.2d€at€328;€òòContreras€v.€Wardóó,€831€S.W.2d€288,€290€(Tenn.Ð @  ÐCt.€App.€1991).€€The€partiesðð€child€has€now€lived€with€Mr.€Young€for€more€than€oneÏyear€and€has€become€acclimated€to€that€environment.€€We€are€reluctant€to€undermineÏa€childððs€stability,€especially€in€close€cases€in€which€there€is€no€proof€that€the€currentÏcustodial€arrangement€is€inconsistent€with€the€childððs€best€interests.€€This€recordÏcontains€no€material€evidence€that€placing€the€partiesðð€child€in€Mr.€Youngððs€custodyÏhas€or€will€harm€her.ÌÌà@¥¥.Dàò òIV.ó óˆÐ `° ÐÌà ` àWe€affirm€the€judgment€awarding€Mr.€Young€custody€of€the€partiesðð€daughterÏand€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€for€any€further€proceedings€that€may€beÏrequired.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€Janet€Ann€Young€and€her€surety€forÏwhich€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.€€à p àÐ ” ä" ÐÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ____________________________ÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌ____________________________ÌHENRY€F.€TODD,€JUDGEñµñ€Ð  ü0L,2 ÐÔ€ §ð !»¼{>Ôñ´ñÑ8€{>»»d»»d8Ññ´ñà@° ° DàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@‰‰)DàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÌÔ‡¼{>»»¼{>ÔÌJANET€ANN€YOUNG,à0 h àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%à)ÐŽ Þ€%€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àPlaintiff/Appellant,à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)à0p€%€%àCoffee€Chanceryо p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à0 p àNo.€96„250ÐÖ &p€%p€% ÐVS.à0 ` àà0¸ ` €%` €%àà0¸ €%¸ €%àà0h€%€%àà0Àh€%h€%àà0À€%À€%à)Ðî > €%€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à0 p àApp.€No.ÐV p€%p€% ÐJAMES€ROBERT€YOUNG,à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)à0p€%€%à01A01„9801„CH„00047Ðn p€%p€% Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendant/Appellee.à0 À àà0À€%À€%à)ÐNž €%€% ÐÌÌÔ#† §ð !»¼{>˜h#Ôò òà@cc(DàòòJ€U€D€G€M€E€N€Tóóó óˆÐ –æ ÐÌÔ€ŠÐÁ ‹ ! §ðÔÓ€Óà ` àThis€cause€came€on€to€be€heard€upon€the€record€on€appeal€from€the€Coffee€CountyÐ j ÐChancery€Court,€the€briefs€of€the€parties,€and€arguments€of€counsel.€€Upon€consideration€ofÏthe€entire€record,€this€court€finds€and€concludes€that€the€trial€judgeððs€judgment€should€beÏaffirmed.ÌÌà ` àIn€accordance€with€the€opinion€filed€contemporaneously€with€this€judgment,€it€is,Ïtherefore,€ordered,€adjudged,€and€decreed€that€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€be€and€is€herebyÏaffirmed,€and€that€the€cause€be€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistentÏwith€this€courtððs€opinion.ÌÌà ` àIt€is€further€ordered€that€the€costs€of€this€appeal€be€taxed€ñµññ¬ñ___.ñ¬ññµññ­ñto€Janet€Anñ­ññµññ°ññ­ñnñ­ññ°ññµññ±ñn€Young,Ïprincipal,€and€Dianñ±ññµññ²ññ±ñnñ±ññ²ññµññ³ñe€E.€Murphy,€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issue,€if€necessary.ñ³ññµññ®ññ­ñ€ñ­ññ®ññ°ññ¯ñe€ñ¯ññ¯ñYoungñ¯ññ°ññ®ññ­ñOñ­ññ®ññµñÌÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGE€ÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àHENRY€F.€TODD,€JUDGE€ñµñ